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Ke
Ke
“That which the ocean washes up here is not for the keeping of men. The water brings it here because here is where the water wishes it to be. Do not set yourself against the will of the water, for no wise creature does that. No human is permitted to keep what he finds upon the Treasure Beach.”
“Does it belong to the Other, then?” Ke
Despite the difference in species, it was still easy for Ke
Ke
Beside him Gankis gasped audibly, but the Other gave no sign of reacting to these words. Instead it bowed its head gravely, inclining its neckless body toward him, almost as if compelled to acknowledge Ke
“So plain this telling that even one of your spawn could read it. You take that which is not yours, Captain Ke
Ke
The Other's jaw dropped open wide — not in astonishment, but perhaps as a sort of threat. The rows of teeth were indeed impressive. Then it snapped shut. The thin lips barely stirred as it belched out its answer. “Yesss.”
“Shall I succeed in what I aspire?”
The Other's air sacs pulsed speculatively. “You do not wish to make your question more specific?”
“Do the omens need me to be more specific?” Ke
The Other glanced down at the array of objects again: the rose, the cups, the nails, the tumblers inside the ball, the feather, the crystal spheres. “You will succeed in your heart's desire,” it said succinctly. A smile began to dawn on Ke
“Enough,” Ke
“The treasures, of course, will remain on the Treasure Beach. I will see to their placement.”
“Why, thank you,” Ke
Wisely, he forbore a similar treatment for the rose. He suspected its delicate beauty was created from some material that would not give way to his boot's pressure. He did not wish to lose his dignity by attempting to destroy it and failing. The other objects had small value in his regard; the Other could do whatever it wished with such flotsam. He turned and strode away.
Behind him he heard the Other hiss its wrath. It took a long breath, then intoned, “The heel that destroys that which belongs to the sea shall be claimed in turn by the sea.” Its toothy jaws shut with a snap, biting off this last prophecy. Gankis immediately moved to flank Ke
“You'll find them up the beach. A whole litter of kits for you, with very pretty blue coats. They were in a leather bag. Seven or eight of the pretty little creatures. Most of them looked a bit poorly after their dip in the ocean, but no doubt those I let out will fare well. Do remember they belong, not to you, but the ocean. I'm sure you'll treat them kindly.”
The Other made a peculiar sound, almost a whistle. “Take them!” it begged. “Take them away, all of them. Please!”
“Take away from the Treasure Beach that which the ocean saw fit to bring here? I would not dream of it,” Ke
“Sir?” Gankis gasped. “A question if I might, Captain Ke
“You may ask it,” Ke
“What is it that you'll succeed in doing?”
Ke